The Town of Wrightsville Beach is a small seaside community that has approximately 2,700 full time residents year round. During the summer months, there are up to 40k visitors. This role will support the Town in effective and engaging communications that benefit the residents, visitors, and staff.

General Statement of Duties

Performs professional and administrative work directing, coordinating and implementing communications, marketing, and public education efforts to support Town initiatives, events, programs, and services; and manages media relations.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

The scope of this role, under general supervision of the Town Manager, is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing various activities designed to increase public awareness and understanding of town projects, programs, events, services and policies. In working with Town staff and officials, the employee creates and implements communications, strategic marketing, and public education campaigns. Work includes media relations and preparation and distribution of press releases; maintaining the content of the Town’s website, newsletters, and sharing information through various social media resources; writing speeches and “talking points” for Town Alderman and officials; and making presentations to organizations to promote awareness of Town initiatives. Manage the development, production, and distribution of promotional and collateral materials for Town events and programs. Responsibilities also include managing the Town’s brand, creating transparency, and engaging the community through outreach, messaging and education. Work requires considerable planning and initiative and timely execution of work. Skill in oral and written communication is important in performance of work. The employee must exercise independent judgment and discretion in conducting work activities. There is extensive public contact with Town Alderman, Town staff, business owners, local and regional partners, and the general public.  

Duties and Responsibilities

• Creates and implements communications, strategic marketing and public education campaigns to support Town initiatives, events and programs; meets and collaborates with Town staff to plan, promote and implement community and employee events and special projects in the Town.
• Writes and distributes press releases, newspaper articles, and other print collateral content; researches and prepares presentations, speeches, “talking points” for Town staff and Town Alderman.
• Implements approved recommendations of Town branding including wayfinding, logo usage, signage, public building and space design, and other aspects to promote and communicate specific messages about the Town.
• Maintains content of Town website; designs and edits web content; writes and posts text on various topics to the Town’s website; trains departmental employees on routine departmental web page maintenance and serves as resource.
• Manages a variety of social media resources including Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, etc.
• Manages media relations and press events; handles the media effectively in compliance with applicable rules, policies, and procedures.
• Interprets and publicizes programs and activities of the Town to the public through print and digital marketing.  
• Handle sponsorship for town related events as needed.  
• Develops and manages communications, marketing, and public relations budgets; receives input from departments on marketing and communications needs.
• Photographs Town events and programs; responsible for editing photos.
• Makes presentations to organizations to cultivate support and awareness for town initiatives.
• Develops and maintains community partnerships to support Town Alderman goals.
• Manages various external vendors including website design, graphics and printing, photography, and wayfinding and branding implementation.
• Attends Alderman meetings and other meetings as assigned that may occur after normal working hours.
• Supports Human Resources with duties specific to employee engagement and events.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs related duties as assigned by the Town Manager.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines - Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of marketing, public information dissemination and communications.
• Understand and apply methods, practices, and trends associated with development and implementation of marketing plans, marketing strategies, and branding.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties of the role.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology and social media resources related to the work; and the flexibility to keep updated with the changing of communication and social media platforms.
• Skilled with communications in both oral and written forms to make presentations, write public information articles with the ability to direct narratives in a persuasive and informative manner. 
• Ability to operate office and production equipment required by the position.
• Knowledge of AP style and principles of grammar and usage.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms and to make effective presentations.
• Ability to change or adapt to latest forms of writing, in order to, edit and communicate clearly and create a positive and professional image of the Town. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business executives and owners, community and civic leaders, appointed and elected officials, media representatives, supervisor, coworkers, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life functions of stooping, standing, walking, grasping, handling/fingering, talking, and hearing.
• Must be able to perform light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 15 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, operate a computer, inspect sites, and to read extensively.
• Required Education, Certifications and Experience
• Preferred candidate will possess a degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field from a four-year college or university and 1-3 years of related professional experience in public relations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Town of Wrightsville Beach is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.